Aquilegia Editions 1987
Summary: This inaugural issue of Aquilegia, newly renamed after Colorado’s state flower, reflects on the Colorado Native Plant Society’s first decade while reaffirming its commitment to conservation and education. Major features include a detailed history of CONPS from its origins in endangered species advocacy through its growth into an active statewide organization, updates on research into the rare alpine mustard Braya humilis, and reports from conferences addressing tropical rainforest management and endangered plant conservation. The newsletter also announces workshops focused on parasitic plants, wetlands, Rosaceae identification, and native plant propagation, while encouraging continued member participation in protecting Colorado’s botanical heritage. The issue captures both a celebration of past accomplishments and a call to future stewardship.
Plant Species: Plant species and genera mentioned in this issue include Aquilegia (Colorado’s state flower); Braya humilis; mistletoes; broomrapes; dodders; pinedrops; saprophytic members of the Orchidaceae and Ericaceae; Cowania; Fallugia; Chamaebatiaria; Purshia; Cercocarpus; Prunus; Peraphyllum; Amelanchier; African violets; philodendrons; Helianthus annuus (common sunflower); Cleome serrulata (Rocky Mountain bee plant); Saponaria officinalis (Bouncing Bet); and rare species of Astragalus (milkvetches). References are also made to endangered and endemic plant communities, alpine flora, wetland plant associations, and Colorado’s diverse native vegetation.
Keywords: Aquilegia, Colorado Native Plant Society, tenth anniversary, society history, endangered species advocacy, rare plant conservation, Braya humilis, alpine mustard, Piceance Basin, tropical rainforest management, biodiversity, endangered plant conferences, native plant workshops, parasitic plants, saprophytic plants, wetlands ecology, Rosaceae identification, native plant propagation, seed stratification, scarification, endemic species, indigenous flora, introduced plants, plant terminology, Florissant Fossil Beds, revegetation, public education, membership engagement, and Colorado botanical stewardship.
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Summary: This issue of Aquilegia emphasizes both education and advocacy in Colorado native plant conservation. Members are encouraged to participate in workshops covering native plant propagation, Eriogonum identification, and xeriphytic ferns, while reports highlight ongoing efforts to document rare plant sites and produce a comprehensive publication on Colorado’s endangered flora. Articles examine the ecology of parasitic flowering plants and continue an in-depth discussion of what constitutes a “native” species, exploring the complex histories of introduced plants. The newsletter also raises alarm over a proposed off-road vehicle race through sensitive habitats in the Little Snake Resource Area, urging members to advocate for the protection of rare plant populations and Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.
Plant Species: Plant species and genera mentioned in this issue include Phlox caryophylla; Crocus spp.; Penstemon grahamii; Penstemon crandallii; Penstemon ambiguus; Penstemon barbatus; Penstemon strictus; Eriogonum spp.; Cheilanthes; Notholaena; Pellaea; Selaginella; Striga; Orobanche; Cuscuta; Corallorhiza; Orobanche fasciculata; Artemisia; Castilleja; Pedicularis; Phoradendron; Arceuthobium; Helianthus annuus; Cleome serrulata; Pedicularis canadensis; Hypoxis hirsuta; Stipa spartea; Betula papyrifera; Sporobolus heterolepis; Viburnum lentago; Impatiens capensis; Sambucus canadensis; Narcissus; Berberis vulgaris; Viburnum lantana; Lonicera; Papaver orientale; Saponaria officinalis; Papaver croceum; Linaria vulgaris; Clematis orientale; Alyssum minus; Carduus nutans; Linaria dalmatica; Rosa spp.; Pinus edulis (piñon pine); Salsola kali; Salsola pestifer; Salsola iberica; Lappula redowskii; Lappula diploloma; Stroganowia spp.; tamarisk; Caragana aurantiaca; Cercocarpus; Elaeagnus commutata; mesquite; Parkinsonia; Astragalus detritalis (debris milkvetch); Cryptantha oxygonoides (caespitose catseye); Physaria capitata (capitate bladderpod/chicken sage); Townsendia strigosa; and the plant associations Juniperus osteosperma/Artemisia nova/Agropyron spicatum and Atriplex confertifolia/Agropyron spicatum.
Keywords: Colorado Native Plant Society, rare plant conservation, native versus introduced species, plant geography, adventive flora, parasitic plants, saprophytes, dwarf mistletoe, native plant propagation, seed stratification, scarification, Eriogonum, xeriphytic ferns, Penstemon Society, rare plant publication, endangered flora, Denver Audubon, Jefferson County Open Space, critical habitat mapping, Grassland Institute, Little Snake Resource Area, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, off-road vehicle impacts, environmental advocacy, Research Natural Areas, public participation, endangered species protection, and Colorado botanical stewardship.
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Summary: This issue of Aquilegia focuses heavily on field education, rare plant monitoring, and the practical work of native plant conservation. Members are invited to participate in workshops, festivals, and field trips spanning diverse Colorado habitats, from desert ecosystems and wetlands to alpine meadows and rare plant sites. A major feature examines the status and distribution of Colorado’s rare native orchids, documenting newly discovered populations, taxonomic revisions, and conservation concerns. Additional articles address wetland ecology, responsible field practices, seed testing initiatives, pesticide impacts on native ecosystems, and community efforts to inventory local flora. The newsletter reflects the Society’s commitment to scientific stewardship, public education, and hands-on participation in protecting Colorado’s botanical heritage.
Plant Species: Plant species and genera mentioned in this issue include Yucca spp.; Cornus canadensis (bunchberry); beaked hazel; dwarf blueberry; wood lily; black sanicle; wild sarsaparilla; western thimbleberry; Phacelia formosula (North Park phacelia); Rhododendron spp.; spike-rush; cottongrass; willow; sedges; Malaxis monophyllos (M. brachypoda); Spiranthes diluvialis; Spiranthes porrifolia; Spiranthes romanzoffiana; Listera convallarioides; Listera borealis; Epipactis gigantea; Platanthera sparsiflora (Habenaria sparsiflora, Limnorchis sparsiflora); Habenaria zothecina; Platanthera limosa (Habenaria limosa); Piperia unalaschensis; Cypripedium calceolus (yellow lady’s slipper); Corallorhiza striata; leafy spurge; Canada thistle; diffuse knapweed; lupine; snakeweed; fringed sagebrush; locoweeds; yellow toadflax; yellow starthistle; dalmatian toadflax; absinth wormwood; Lambert crazyweed; plains prickly pear; field bindweed; plains larkspur; rabbitbrush; death camas; and musk thistle.
Keywords: Colorado Native Plant Society, field trip policies, natural history workshops, Pikes Peak Research Station, Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, Southwestern Native Plants Symposium, rare orchid conservation, orchid distribution records, endangered species monitoring, North Park phacelia, wetland ecology, Holy Cross Wilderness, Homestake II diversion project, Florissant plant inventory, herbarium collections, native plant identification, seed testing, Front Range Seed Analysts, germplasm preservation, seed law, Colorado Pesticide Network, pesticide impacts, noxious weeds, Jefferson County plant inventories, citizen science, ecological education, field stewardship, and native plant conservation advocacy.
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Summary: This issue of Aquilegia emphasizes botanical education through field experiences, responsible stewardship, and the appreciation of Colorado’s diverse native flora. Members are invited to participate in field trips exploring Mesa de Maya, Rampart Range, and northwestern Colorado’s rare plant habitats. The newsletter highlights the importance of ethical behavior during excursions through the publication of official field trip policies designed to protect sensitive species and habitats. Featured articles include a horticultural profile of Green Mormon tea (Ephedra viridis) as a drought-tolerant native landscape plant and a report on rare plant populations observed in proposed Areas of Critical Environmental Concern. Conservation concerns surrounding off-road vehicle impacts on rare species and a review of a regional orchid guide further reinforce the Society’s commitment to education and preservation.
Plant Species: Plant species and genera mentioned in this issue include Cheilanthes spp., Notholaena spp., Pellaea spp., Selaginella spp., Selaginella lepidophylla (resurrection plant), Prosopis spp. (mesquite), Nolina spp. (bear grass), dwarf mistletoes (Arceuthobium spp.), lodgepole pine, limber pine, bristlecone pine, ponderosa pine, pinyon pine, blue spruce, Engelmann spruce, white fir, subalpine fir, Douglas-fir, Rocky Mountain juniper, Ephedra viridis (Green Mormon tea), Astragalus spatulatus, Cryptantha caespitosa, Astragalus purshii, Astragalus megacarpa, Balsamorhiza hookeri var. hispidula, Penstemon pachyphyllus, Phlox bryoides, Phlox austromontana, Penstemon yampaensis, Astragalus convallarius, Penstemon humilis, Petrophytum caespitosum, Eriogonum ephedroides, Penstemon grahamii, Parthenium ligulatum, Cryptantha rollinsii, Caulanthus crassicaulis, Elymus cinereus, Mirabilis alipes, Stanleya integrifolia, and Lygodesmia grandiflora.
Keywords: Colorado Native Plant Society, field trip policies, xerophytic fern workshop, fern adaptations, Mesa de Maya, Rampart Range, North Park, Park Range, rare plant conservation, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, Vermillion Bluffs, Raven Ridge, Limestone Ridge, Irish Canyon, Bureau of Land Management, off-road vehicle impacts, ethical collecting practices, native landscaping, Green Mormon tea, drought-tolerant plants, ecological stewardship, orchid literature review, public lands, botanical education, field identification, and native plant preservation.
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Summary: This issue of Aquilegia combines memorial reflection, field exploration, and conservation education. It honors the life and contributions of renowned Rocky Mountain botanist Ruth Ashton Nelson, whose publications introduced generations of readers to western wildflowers. Members are invited to the Society’s annual meeting focused on public lands stewardship and upcoming educational workshops. Detailed field trip reports describe visits to White Rocks Preserve, Colorado National Monument, Grand Mesa, and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, highlighting both rare plants and the Society’s growing herbarium efforts. Additional features include a review of a wildflower photography book, announcements of wilderness outings and restoration initiatives, and chapter programming dedicated to Colorado’s diverse ecosystems and ecological rehabilitation.
Plant Species: Plant species and genera mentioned in this issue include groundnut (Apios americana), black spleenwort (Asplenium adiantum-nigrum), Asplenium andrewsii, sand cherry (Prunus besseyi), paintbrush (Castilleja occidentalis), mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus), Ipomopsis pumila, Atriplex corrugata, Machaeranthera pinnatifida, Stanleya albescens, Sclerocactus glaucus, Mertensia brevistyla, Townsendia glabella, creeping Oregon grape (Mahonia repens), Delphinium nelsonii, Lewisia pygmaea, Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum), serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.), oceanspray (Holodiscus spp.), singleleaf ash (Fraxinus anomala), Lomatium latilobum, Rhus simplicifolia, Cercocarpus intricatus, curlleaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius), Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii), Havard oak (Quercus havardii), pinyon pine, juniper, willow species associated with willow carr wetlands, and the wildflowers of the Arapaho Pass Trail.
Keywords: Ruth Ashton Nelson, Aven Nelson, Rocky Mountain botany, Colorado Native Plant Society annual meeting, public lands management, White Rocks Preserve, Boulder Open Space, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CONPS herbarium, Colorado National Monument, Grand Mesa, rare plants, endemic species, wilderness study areas, ecological restoration, Restoring the Earth Conference, seed dispersal workshops, native deciduous trees, wildflower photography, field botany, conservation education, Boulder Chapter programming, revegetation, restoration ecology, and native plant preservation.
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Summary: This issue of Aquilegia emphasizes conservation action, rare plant documentation, and public education. Members are introduced to the Society’s 1988 workshop series covering Wyoming rare plants, Colorado deciduous trees, wildflower photography, and natural plant communities. Significant attention is devoted to progress on the Colorado Rare Plant Monograph, including fundraising successes, volunteer efforts, and appeals for photographs of threatened species. Articles address updates to the federal Endangered Species Act, environmental advocacy opportunities, gypsy moth monitoring efforts in Colorado, and wilderness fundraising initiatives. Botanical notes explore newly recognized Heterotheca taxa in Colorado, reflecting the Society’s commitment to advancing both scientific understanding and practical conservation efforts.
Plant Species: Plant species and genera mentioned in this issue include Penstemon yumpaensis, Acer, Alnus, Betula, Celtis, Populus, Quercus, Ptilagrostis porteri, Hypoxis hirsuta, Braya humilis, Dryopteris expansa (spreading woodfern), Trillium ovatum (western trillium), Frasera coloradoensis (Colorado gentian), Lygodesmia doloresensis (Dolores skeletonplant), Penstemon degeneri, Eriogonum pelinophilum (clay-loving wild buckwheat), Mentzelia densa (Royal Gorge stickleaf), Neoparrya megarrhiza, Penstemon grahamii, Penstemon harringtonii, Penstemon retrorsus, Ambrosia linearis (streaked ragweed), Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis (Colorado butterfly weed), Parthenium alpinum (alpine feverfew), Eriophorum altaicum (Altai Mountains cottongrass), Oenothera acutissima (narrowleaf evening primrose), Primula egaliksensis (Greenland primrose), Sisyrinchium pallidum (pale blue-eyed grass), Gentianella tortuosa (Utah gentian), Penstemon albifluvis (White River penstemon), Thalictrum heliophilum (sun-loving meadowrue), Armeria maritima ssp. siberica (sea pink), Eutrema penlandii (Penland’s eutrema), Cirsium ownbeyi (Ownbey’s thistle), Gilia penstemonoides (Black Canyon gilia), Heterotheca pumila, Heterotheca villosa, Heterotheca villosa var. pedunculata, Chrysopsis pumila, Chrysopsis alpicola, Chrysopsis cooperi, and Chrysopsis alpicola var. glomerata.
Keywords: Rare Plant Monograph, Colorado Natural Areas Program, endangered plant conservation, Endangered Species Act reauthorization, CITES enforcement, rare plant fundraising, native plant workshops, Wyoming rare plants, deciduous trees of northern Colorado, wildflower photography, natural communities, Heterotheca taxonomy, Dr. William Weber, Colorado Environmental Coalition, Sierra Club, Wild Lands and Rivers Raffle, wilderness advocacy, Colorado on the Edge Conference, gypsy moth monitoring, integrated pest management, environmental policy, plant preservation, volunteerism, and conservation education.
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